Can low blood sugar lead to slurring of speech?
- Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can cause neurological symptoms such as confusion, blurred vision, tingling, numbness, and slurred speech
- The brain requires a steady supply of glucose for energy, and low blood glucose levels can interfere with proper brain activity, causing speech slurring and other symptoms
- Hypoglycemia can have multiple causes, including medications, sepsis, liver or kidney disease, alcohol, tumors, or hormonal imbalances
What is the Reason Behind Slurry Speech During Hypoglycemia?
This is because the human brain requires a steady supply of glucose or sugar for energy. "When blood glucose levels fall below a critical level, the brain becomes unable to function normally, resulting in a variety of neurological symptoms such as confusion, numbness, blurred vision, and slurred speech." If the low blood glucose levels continue and hypoglycemia is not addressed, the patient may enter a coma. "It can be fatal," Dr. Goyal explained.But what exactly causes low blood sugar? According to specialists, hypoglycemia has multiple causes. "These include medications such as oral anti-diabetics (sulfonylureas) and insulin." Hypoglycemia can also be caused by sepsis, liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol, tumors, or hormonal imbalances such as cortisol, according to Dr. Pathak.
Dr. Goyal emphasized that slurred speech caused by low blood sugar can be avoided by avoiding hypoglycemia or low blood sugar crises.
Guide to Keeping Blood Sugar in Check
- Have regular meals and snacks throughout the day
- Keep track of blood sugar levels
- Adjust medication based on blood sugar levels
- Avoid fasting or skipping meals
- Regular exercise and limiting alcohol consumption
- Bring a quick-acting source of glucose, such as glucose pills or candies.
- In the event of low blood sugar symptoms, glucose tablets should be taken as soon as possible
- Carry medical identification that states they are diabetic
Source-Medindia